2021 SEA Games may have fewer sports due to Vietnam's budget cut—POC

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) believes that the 2021 Southeast Asian Games will push through, but there may be fewer sports events compared to the Philippine staging last year.

In a virtual forum with the Philippine Sportswriters Association, POC president Abraham Tolentino noted the low number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in Vietnam, the host country.

"Definitely matutuloy 'yun, Kung makita n'yo 'yung record ng Vietnam sa COVID, zero," he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Vietnam has 328 confirmed COVID-19 cases, but no deaths were recorded as of Monday, June 1.

Vietnam, however, reduced its SEA Games budget due to the pandemic, which will have an impact on the staging of the biennial meet.

"Naglabas na sila ng news na na-slash... 'yung budget nila ng SEA Games. Definitely ang epekto nun, mababawasan ang events," Tolentino said.

The POC president said he would still lobby for the Philippines' medal-rich events such as dance sports, arnis, kickboxing, and obstacle course racing, but the chances may be not that good.

"Sana pagbigyan. Pero paano natin ila-lobby 'yun kung ganyang... baka nga mabawas pa 'yung events?" he said.

The Philippines bagged 33 gold medals from the said sports (10 from dancesport, 14 from arnis, 3 from kickboxing, and 6 from obstacle) in last year's SEA Games.

With the possibility of these sports being removed in the Vietnam games, can the Philippines achieve a back-to-back overall championship in the regional meet?

"Definitely lalaban tayo. Depende 'yan sa events and sports na lalaruin. Pero you think papayag ang Vietnam na di sila mag-overall, nandun na sa kanila lahat ng rekado?" Tolentino said.

"Pero hahabulin natin 'yan, basta kaya nating ipadala 'yung mga atleta natin," he added.

Tolentino is also hopeful that the country will not limit its delegation for next year's games.

"Ang maganda, padalhan natin lahat. Salihan natin lahat kahit pa hindi natin masyado nilalaro. We still have time to prepare for that," he said.

The 2021 SEA Games is scheduled on November 21 to December 2 next year, months after the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics which will be from July 23 to August 8. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News